Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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Smqaffzme With the memory of our going Horne music still ringing in our ears. as we 'sailed out of Wakanura Wan, we enjoyed a calm peaceful trip through the South China Sea. As we finally turned westward to the Malacca Straits, naval aircraft from HMS Colossus buzzed the Steve in greeting. Then the HMS Caprice, a British destroyer, guided us through the rain squalls and haze into Singapore Harbor. Here masts of sunken ships sticking up from the calm waters of the harbor reminded us that only six weeks previously Singapore was still in lap hands and that we were the first American warships to enter since the end ofthe War. Hardly had we dropped anchor before the bumboats came alongside to sell souvenirs, pineapples, and bananas. Each destroyer in the squadron was assigned a British destroyer as their host, while the British cruiser, HMS Sussex, welcomed the battlewagons. The squadron flagship, HMS Caesar was assigned to us, and soon plans were be- ing made for the Officers to visit and have dinner, while a number of the crew visited the British ship. While our Paymaster was busy converting U. S. dollars, a British landing craft with crew and boat Officer was put at our disposal, and was immediately used to take the first liberty party ashore. 1 On our way in to the beach, we passed several picturesque Chinese Iunks moored alongside some old tugs and yard craft abandoned by the laps. Singapore to most of us was a city of exotic allure with the mystery of the Orient. Certainly as far as the different types and races of people to be seen on the streets was concerned, it was not disappointing. Majestic looking ln- dians with a full beard, heads swathed in turbans and magnificent physiques stalked the streets along with Mohamrnedans in their red fezes, coats, and wrap-around skirts hanging down to their ankles. Malayan women with their slightly slanting eyes and bronze skins strode along carrying baskets on their heads. Also bewildering was the wide variety of uniforms, Royal Navy as well as Indian, Australian, New Zealand Army uniforms with occasional Dutch and South African insigna. At first the large signs headlined DEATH were rather alarming, but the explanation in the Straits Times that the laps had left stocks of poison liquor made everyone more careful. Only a few of us had enjoyed a taste of the British hospitality before, so that it was a welcome surprise to find the British Canteens thrown wide open to us. Free entertainments by the ENSA CBritish equivalent of our USO? were given not only in the theatres and servicemen's clubs on shore but also on the battlewagons for the men not rating liberty. Most of the British sailors expressed surprise at the wonderful food includ- ing ice cream on the American ships while we thought the idea of liquor served on board ship mighty strange but certainly having some good points while in port. ' ' Q 47

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5 ' s Qcmlmuecfl Singapore was the first foreign city most of us had seen which hadn't been bombed and burned. It really looked like a wonderful liberty port with its tall buildings and tree-shaded hills in the background. Clifford Dock, the liberty landing, was in the downtown business section so most of us headed up north over the bridge toward the square, government buildings and the ships. Various types of transportation were awaiting us on the wide avenue which runs along the harbor. The now familiar rickshas were flanked by a new contrivance reminiscent of Worlds Fair days, a bicycle with a side car. Those who wished a faster and more exciting ride rode in one of the British type cars which served as taxis. However all manner of transporta- tion had one feature in common-haggling over the fare. One of the unfor- gettable sights was Yogi Coleman coming back to the dock followed by sev- eral taxi drivers demanding more money loudly and vociferously at his uncon- cerned back. Only a few hours after the' first liberty party hit the beach, sailors could be seen in all the native shops trying to make a deal not only for money but for cigarettes, chewing gum, -fountain pens, and- even watches. Since no new stock of goods had reached Singapore in years the supply of worthwhile -sou- venirs was limited and prices consequently high. Nevertheless, we left a total of over SlO0,000 in U. S. money in Singapore before departing. The narrow streets had a very picturesque appearance with the variety of pedestrians, rickshas, vichiclas, bicycles, etc., weaving in and out.between the carts of the food sellers and merchants who had their wares stretched out on the sidewalks and gutters. Others more bent on sight seeing than shopping wandered down the main streets past the square with its ever present 'soccer or rugby game. Some went in -St. Andrews Cathedral, to sign the visitors' book, others investigated the YMCA and British canteens. Further out from the center of the city was the famous Raffles Museum with its very interesting and complete collection of Malaya. From there looming up through the trees was the Cathay Building with its big movie house. On one of the upper floors was the officers' club, at the opening of which our Commodore Bozendal was the principal speaker. Those who went to visit the famed Raffles Hotel with its huge verandas were doomed to disappointment since it had been taken over for the prisoners of war who had just been released from lap prison camps. Consequently the hotel was closed to the public. At night the bright lights of the New World and the Great World, Singa- pore's Coney Island attracted many visitors. Here many of the familiar rides were mixed in with little cafes which served unfamiliar food and drinks. In one spot, a Malayan dime a dance concession proved interesting since the dancers did not touch each other but merely danced around yards away. Much too soon the three short days came to an end and we sailed out of Malacca Straits headed for Ceylon. 49